Things I've Learned |
Everyday I read, I listen, I think. At the end of the day, I've learned something. |
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![Demonstrators holding white pieces of paper form a peace sign at Monastiraki square in Athens March 14, 2010. The gathering was organized by the international organisation “World Without Wars”.
While demonstrators were forming the peace sign at Monastiraki square in Athens, SIPRI, a leading Swedish peace research group, announced that Greece is the 5th biggest importer of conventional weapons. In the world. Yes, Greece, a country of 11 million people pays more than any other country in Europe to equip its arsenal. And this, while during 2004-2008 period, weapon imports in the country were decreased by 5%.
So, why does a country with people living in a period of peace and economic difficulties has to import so many weapons? The answer is simple. Greece has to import large amound of weapons every year because there are countries that export them. Especially since some of those countries happen to be strategic partners of Greece. Right after Greek PM Papandreou’s visit to German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this month (official purpose of it was to get political support from Germany) Greece, announced the agreement to buy four submarines from Germany. I guess political support is valued really expensive these days.
MORE:
Arms Transfers to Europe and Central Asia [PDF, full report by SIPRI]
US No. 1 arms exporter, China, India top importers: SIPRI (India Times)
«Αγαπημένη» των αγορών όπλων (Ελευθεροτυπία)
Athens reaches deal in submarine row: minister (France 24)
BONUS: Τουρκική υπεροπλία στο Αιγαίο (Το Βήμα)
(Photo from Reuters Pictures)](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzc4waIpXT1qbphqfo1_500.jpg)
Demonstrators holding white pieces of paper form a peace sign at Monastiraki square in Athens March 14, 2010. The gathering was organized by the international organisation “World Without Wars”.
While demonstrators were forming the peace sign at Monastiraki square in Athens, SIPRI, a leading Swedish peace research group, announced that Greece is the 5th biggest importer of conventional weapons. In the world. Yes, Greece, a country of 11 million people pays more than any other country in Europe to equip its arsenal. And this, while during 2004-2008 period, weapon imports in the country were decreased by 5%.
So, why does a country with people living in a period of peace and economic difficulties has to import so many weapons? The answer is simple. Greece has to import large amound of weapons every year because there are countries that export them. Especially since some of those countries happen to be strategic partners of Greece. Right after Greek PM Papandreou’s visit to German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this month (official purpose of it was to get political support from Germany) Greece, announced the agreement to buy four submarines from Germany. I guess political support is valued really expensive these days.
MORE:
- Arms Transfers to Europe and Central Asia [PDF, full report by SIPRI]
- US No. 1 arms exporter, China, India top importers: SIPRI (India Times)
- «Αγαπημένη» των αγορών όπλων (Ελευθεροτυπία)
- Athens reaches deal in submarine row: minister (France 24)
- BONUS: Τουρκική υπεροπλία στο Αιγαίο (Το Βήμα)
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To summarise Greece PM Papandreou’s yesterday meeting with Obama, the US President:
- expressed “political” support for measures aiming to fight the financial crisis and “encouraged Athens’ efforts to boost financial regulation”
“The central task before the Greek government is to continue to move forward on their plans to restore fiscal stability and growth to its economy,” a US official told reporters.
- announced that Greece became a member of the Visa Waiver Program, which means that once this will be ratified by Parliament, Greeks won’t have to issue a visa before travelling to the US.
- expressed the willingness for the US to recognise the country currently known as “Republic of Macedonia” with the name “Republic of Northern Macedonia” which may be one solution to the Macedonia naming dispute.
I’d like to offer some fashion commentary on the First Ladies, but Mrs-O.org can do it better than me ;)
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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou walks out of the West Wing after a meeting at the White House March 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. Papandreou met with President Barack Obama.
Photographers and members of the press weren’t allowed in the meeting but I guess we will see official photos in a few hours. I understand that being together with the president of Socialist International wouldn’t be a very pleasant picture for the American conservative media.
The big news of this meeting though, is that Greece became a member of the US Visa Waiver Program. This means that Greek citizens will be allowed to travel to the US without having to go through the painful procedure of issuing a visa.
“Our efforts to guard against terrorism while enhancing legal travel and trade depend upon close collaboration with our international partners,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I commend our partners in Greece for committing to strong screening and security standards and enhanced information sharing for travel by Greek citizens to the United States as we work together to protect our citizens and strengthen our economies.”
Of course, we shouldn’t expect a rush of Greek travellers to the US, especially during those hard times but it will make travelling procedures a lot easier for those who need to travel there.
I expect many to ask the question “So, what did Greece gave back?”. Access to DNA databases, granted by the previous Greek government may be one answer, while further involvement in Afghanistan is another. Greece agreed to take over the operation of Kabul’s airport adding to today’s peaceful Greek presence in the country.
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notes![Caption contest anyone?
Not really. Greek Prime Minister [AND Foreign Minister] George Papandreou met U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday in at the State Department in Washington, during Papandreou’s official visit to the U.S. Later today he will meet U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. The reason for this visit as he describes it in an op-ed on the New York Times today is to…
[bring] a message from Europe: The challenge we face is not just Greek or European; it is American as well, and together we must find a solution.
In other words, what he is trying to do is to get support from world leaders in order to be able for Greece to borrow more money in order to pay some of the gigantic 300 billion euros debt.
Photo from Reuters Pictures](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kz0mxi1Zbi1qbphqfo1_500.jpg)
Caption contest anyone?
Not really. Greek Prime Minister [AND Foreign Minister] George Papandreou met U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday in at the State Department in Washington, during Papandreou’s official visit to the U.S. Later today he will meet U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. The reason for this visit as he describes it in an op-ed on the New York Times today is to…
[bring] a message from Europe: The challenge we face is not just Greek or European; it is American as well, and together we must find a solution.
In other words, what he is trying to do is to get support from world leaders in order to be able for Greece to borrow more money in order to pay some of the gigantic 300 billion euros debt.
